Lunch and organ donation

Organ donation is a scary topic, but not one that the Probus Club shies away from.

On October 8, eMalahleni’s own Probus Club held a luncheon at the Moth Cottages of Sound Memory in Rememberance Street in Eskom Park.

Members of the Moth Cottages feasted on delicious Sunday-style cooking provided by ladies of the Women’s Agricultural Union (WAU).

Before lunch was served, the members of the Moth Cottages were informed about organ donation by Phyllis Scruton.

According to a survey conducted by the Organ Donor Foundation (ODF) in 2017, 4 300 adults and children in South Africa are in need of a new organ, but only 361 transplants took place in that year.

Their studies further reveal that only around 0.2% of South Africans have registered as organ donors.

South Africa is clearly in need of more donors, but many don’t understand the process, and possibly don’t know that one person can help up to 50 people through donating various organs and tissues.

Becoming an organ donor is simple, and no medical tests or examinations are needed.

You can either call the ODF on their toll-free number of 0800 22 66 11, register online at odf.org.za, or inform your family that when you pass you would like to donate some or all of your healthy organs.

If you register with the ODF, you will receive an organ donor card to fill in and keep, and stickers to place on your identity document and driver’s license.

Registering to become an organ donor is completely free.

All expenses incurred during the donation process will be covered by the relevant hospital and/or tissue bank, as required by South African law.

Compensation is also not given to you or family members for organ donation as it is viewed by law as a gift that has no monetary value.

There are two types of transplants: Organ and tissue.

Organ transplants include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas.

These organs together can save up to seven lives.

Tissue donations include skin, bone, tendons, heart valves and corneas.

These tissues can save up to 50 lives.

Currently kidneys are the most needed organ in the country, with the longest waiting list.

A limited number of facilities offer treatment for renal failure, meaning only 8 000 out of 50 000 people living with renal failure are on dialysis.

This has left 42 000 South Africans untreated for renal failure while waiting for a new kidney.

Consider doing a good deed, following the example of the Probus Club and the members of the Moth Cottages of Sound Memory, and register to become an organ donor – let your last act on this earth be to help 50 other people in need.